Cover of container package

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a cover for a group of containers adapted to be formed into a package by wrapping sheet material thereabout. The cover is formed of paperboard having grain with the cover being naturally warpable about the grain axis. The cover further has flaps connected to opposite sides thereof and extending normal to the grain axis with the flaps being foldable out of the plane of the cover to provide the cover with beam strength sufficient to overcome warping of the cover.

United States Patent Duerr 1 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] 7 COVER OF CONTAINERPACKAGE [72] Inventor: Joseph W. Duerr, Flushing, NY.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Nov. 6, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 87,374 g [52] US. Cl. ..206/65C [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 85/62 [58] Field of Search....,.....206/65 C, 80A; 294/872; 229/DlG. 5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,245,71 l 4/1966 Dantoin..206/65 C 2,784,898

3/1957 George ..229/DlG. 5

Copping ..206/65 8 Kraut ..206/8O A Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson,Jr. Attorney-Diner, Brown, Ramik & Holt 57 ABSTRACT This disclosurerelates to a cover for a group of containers adapted to be formed into apackage by wrapping sheet material thereabout- The cover. is formed ofpaperboard having grain with the cover being naturally warpable aboutthe grain axis. The cover further has flaps connected to opposite sidesthereof and extending normal to the grain axis with the flaps beingfoldable out of the plane of the cover to provide the cover with beamstrength sufficient to overcome warping of the cover.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsms m2 IH /E7 I numlm l 1 C fINVENTUR ||l| JOSEPH m. DUERR COVER OF CONTAINER PACKAGE This inventionrelates in general to new anduseful improvements in container packages,and more particularly to a cover which is applied to a group ofcontainers prior to the formation of a package by wrapping sheetmaterial about the containers and cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the normal construction of a shrink pack,a cover may be applied to a group of containers, after which thecontainers and cover are encased within plastic material and the plasticmaterial shrunk thereabout. Such covers are normally formed ofpaperboard.

It is recognized that paperboard has a grain axis about which thepaperboard will most freely bend. During periods of high humidity,moisture is absorbed in the paperboard with the result that it warpsabout its grain axis. It will be readily apparent that inasmuch as thecover is merely laid on top of a groupof containers, this warpage canfrequently prove troublesome both in the maintaining of the relation ofthe cover to the containers as they are moved toward the packagingstation of the packaging machine and to the proper encasement of thecover and containers in the plastic materi- The covers have beencustomarily formed ,with the grain running parallel to the rows ofcontainers with which the cover is associated. As a result, even if thecover is provided with flaps along the opposite sides thereof forengaging the containers on opposite sides of the rows, the flaps have noeffect whatsoever on the warping of the cover.

In an attempt to obtain a maximum paperboard efficiency and also solvethe warpage problem, covers were formed with the paperboard grainextending diagonally of the cover. While this proved to be effective toa certain degree, the covers still had a diagonal warpage with theresult that each cover had only aligned contact with the containers towhich it was applied and two of the diagonally opposite corners wereelevated although the other two diagonally opposite corners werecontacting the containers.

SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION In accordance with this invention, it has beenfound that if the grain of the cover runs substantially normal to thecontainer rows, the flaps which are disposed at opposite sides of thecover for engagement with the containers at opposite sides of the rows,when bent generally normal to the normal plane of the cover, will givethe cover sufficient beam strength to overcome the warpage of the coverand restore it to its normal planar state.

A primary feature of this invention is that in the normal handling ofthe covers in a packaging machine, the warped covers may be readilyaccommodated and the flaps are folded prior to the positioning of thecover on a group of containers with the result that at the time ofapplication of the cover to a group of containers, the warped conditionof the cover will be substantially eliminated and the cover will liesufficiently flat on the group of containers so as to be readilytransported therewith and to readily have the packaging material placedtherearound.

It will be readily apparent from a study of the cover construction thatthe cover construction maintains its normal outline and the flaps have adual function as opposed to the previous single function of the flaps.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claimed subjectmatter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover formed in accordance with thisinvention and shows the same in a warped condition due to the absorptionof moisture thereinto.

FIG. 2. is a fragmentary side elevational view of the upper portion of agroup of containers showing in full lines a warped cover applied theretoand in phantom lines the same cover in its unwarped state.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the planar cover asapplied to a group of containers.

Referring now tothe drawing in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated a cover formed in accordance with this invention, to coverbasically being identified by the numeral 5. The cover 5 is formed ofpaperboard and includes a cover panel 6 which is generally rectangularin outline. The illustrated cover panel 6 is of a size and configurationto overlie six cans C arranged in two rows of three cans each. The coverpanel 6 is provided with rounded corners 7 and includes end edges .8which extend between the adjacent corners 7 and side edges defined byfold lines 9 which also extend between adjacent corners 7. Flaps 10 arehingedly connected to the cover panel 6 along the fold lines 9.

lt is to be understood that when the covers 5 are formed, they are of aplanar construction with the flaps l0 lying in the same plane as thecover panel 6. It is also to be understood that'the surface ofthe cover5 which is to be disposed outermost is provided with a decorativecoating. This decorative coating in effect shields that surface of thecover 5.

Under normal atmospheric conditions, the entire cover 5 remains planar.However, under conditions of high humidity, moisture is absorbed intothe cover 5 through the unprotected surface, that is the interiorsurface remote from the decorative coating. As the fibers of thepaperboard remote from the decorative surface begin to expand, the cover5 warps about the grain thereof. This warped condition is clearlyillustrated in FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that when the cover 5 is formed in the normalmanner, that is with the grain of the paperboard thereof extendingbetween the end edges 8, the cover panel 6 would assume an arcuate crosssection concavely toward the decorative surface thereof.

It will be readily apparent that the aforedescribed warped cover wouldnot seat on the upper ends of the containers C and would rock back andforth about the axis of the row or rows of containers on which the coveris seated. This would make it extremely difficult both to initiallyaccurately position the cover and to retain the cover in position duringthe movement of the containers to the packaging station. It will also beapparent that the cover would in part interfere with the application ofthe wrapping material to the containers and cover.

In the hope that undue warpage could be prevented,-

covers 5 were made with the paperboard grain extending generallydiagonal between the corners of the cover panel 6. While this did insome degree reduce warpage, sufficient warpage still occurred whichresulted in the same deficiencies mentioned above except that in lieu ofthe cover rocking about lines parallel to the rows of containers, thecover rocked about a line diagonal to the rows of containers.

When the cover 5 is formed with the grain of the paperboard thereofextending generally normal to the rows of containers, that is betweenthe fold line 9, undesirable warpage still occurred. However, it wasdiscovered that when the, flaps were folded to their operative positionsgenerally normal to the plane of the cover 6, a straightening of thecover panel 6 immediately occurred. Since at the'time the covers areapplied to the containers the flaps 10 are folded to their positionsalongside the container bodies, the .cover panels 6 are substantiallyplanar at the time of installation of the covers 5 and the covers 5 maynot only be readily placed upon the containers, but will also maintaintheir position thereon inasmuch as the flaps 10 are effective for thispurpose.

As is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, prior to the flaps'10 beingfolded down into position, the cover panel 6would assume the arcuateconditionillustrated in solid lines if it iswarped- However, even ifthecover panel 6 is transversely warped as shown in FIG. 2 in solid lines,when the flaps 10 are folded downwardly, the cover panel 6 immediatelyassumes asubstantially planar condition, as is shown in phantom lines.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that with the cover 5 properlyapplied to the group of containers, even though it was initially warped,it will snugly engage the containers and'retain its position relative tothe containers for the formation of a package by wrapping plasticmaterial therearound.

lt is to be understood that the changing of the direction of grain ofthe paperboard from which the cover 5 is formed and the utilization ofthe beam strength of the folded flaps l0 permits the application of thecover and the formation of wrapped container packages without the priorundesired random stoppage of the machine due to improper positioning ofthe covers.

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown inillustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that variouschanges in details and arrangement of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Whatis claimed as new is:

l. A cover for a group of containers adapted to be formed into a packageby wrapping sheet material thereabout, said cover including a singleplaner cover panel for direct overlying engagement with container endsin a generally flat state without prefolding, said cover being formed ofpaperboard and therefore susceptible to warping of said planar coverpanel due to absorption of moisture, said paperboard having a grain withsaid warping of said cover panel from said planar state being naturallyabout the grain axis, said cover panel being of a dimension to fullycover containers disposed in at least one row, and said grain axis beingnormal to the row direction, and said cover includin means connected tosaid cover panel and separate an apart from any interlocking relationbetween said cover and containers operable when said cover is applied tocontainers in seated engagement thereon for automatically restoring theplanar state of a warped cover panel and causing said cover panel toseat flatly thereon, said cover having a moisture sealing decoration onone surface only thereof, and said warping being in one direction onlyand concavely of said decoration.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said means are in the form of flapsextending along opposite sides of said cover panel normal to the grainaxis and being hingedly connected to said cover panel for folding topositions generally normal to the intended plane of said cover panel andproviding said cover withbeam strength sufficient to overcome warping ofsaid cover panel after said cover has been applied to a group ofcontainers.

3. The cover of claim 2 wherein said flaps are engageable with endportions of container bodies to maintain the general uniformity of aformed package.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover has decoration on one surfaceonly thereof, said warping is in one direction only concavely of saiddecoration, and said means are in the form of flaps extending alongopposite sides of said cover panel normal to the grain axis and beinghingedly connected to said cover panel for folding to positionsgenerally normal to the intended plane of said cover panel after saidcover has been applied to a group of containers and providing said coverwith beam strength sufficient to overcome warping of said cover panelafter said cover has been applied.

5. The cover of claim 4 wherein said flaps are engageable with endportions of container bodies to maintain the general uniformity of aformed package.

P0-1050 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE I CERTIFICATE U15 CQRRECTIQN PatentNo. 3 ,693 ,'7s7 I Dated Se tember 26, 1972 lnvegtofls) JOSEPH w. DUERRIt is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedj patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:-

On the Abstract Page, read the assignee as GANZ BROTHERS, INC.Bergenfield, New Jersey' irist'ead of 1 CONTINENTAL CAN COMPANY, INC.New York, N. 'Y.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of April 1973.

'7 (SEAL) Attest: v

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting- Officer ICommissioner of Patents

1. A cover for a group of containers adapted to be formed into a packageby wrapping sheet material thereabout, said cover including a singleplaner cover panel for direct overlying engagement with container endsin a generally flat state without prefolding, said cover being formed ofpaperboard and therefore susceptible to warping of said planar coverpanel due to absorption of moisture, said paperboard having a grain withsaid warping of said cover panel from said planar state being naturallyabout the grain axis, said cover panel being of a dimension to fullycover containers disposed in at least one row, and said grain axis beingnormal to the row direction, and said cover including means connected tosaid cover panel and separate and apart from any interlocking relationbetween said cover and containers operable when said cover is applied tocontainers in seated engagement thereon for automatically restoring theplanar state of a warped cover panel and causing said cover panel toseat flatly thereon, said cover having a moisture sealing decoration onone surface only thereof, and said warping being in one direction onlyand concavely of said decoration.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein saidmeans are in the form of flaps extending along opposite sides of saidcover panel normal to the grain axis and being hingedly connected tosaid cover panel for folding to positions generally normal to theintended plane of said cover panel and providing said cover with beamstrength sufficient to overcome warping of said cover panel after saidcover has been applied to a group of containers.
 3. The cover of claim 2wherein said flaps are engageable with end portions of container bodiesto maintain the general uniformity of a formed package.
 4. The cover ofclaim 1 wherein said cover has decoration on one sUrface only thereof,said warping is in one direction only concavely of said decoration, andsaid means are in the form of flaps extending along opposite sides ofsaid cover panel normal to the grain axis and being hingedly connectedto said cover panel for folding to positions generally normal to theintended plane of said cover panel after said cover has been applied toa group of containers and providing said cover with beam strengthsufficient to overcome warping of said cover panel after said cover hasbeen applied.
 5. The cover of claim 4 wherein said flaps are engageablewith end portions of container bodies to maintain the general uniformityof a formed package.